How does it feel?
The pomegranate is a deciduous shrub or small fruit bearing tree originally from Persia, which can now be found growing all over India. It grows to heights of between 5-8 metres producing the characteristic large, red and round sweet fruits known as pomegranates which can contain anywhere between 200-1400 seeds. The plant also produces multiple spines along each of its branches and its flowers match the colour of the fruit and are a bright, vibrant red. Pomegranate trees have been known to live for up to 200 years and are incredibly hardy.
What can I use it for?
Pomegranate contains high levels of the constituent ellagic acid and Vitamin C, making it a strong and effective antioxidant and a good support for a weakened digestive system. The bark of the tree and a small percentage of the fruit contains constituents known as alkaloids that are particularly effective against fighting parasites within the digestive tract by inhibiting the parasites ability to grip onto the intestinal wall. The juice and the rind of the fruit contain tannins which display strong astringent properties, primarily active within the digestive tract.
Into the heart of pomegranate
The bright and vibrant red colour of this fruit gives a good indication of its usage within the body. It has an affinity for the heart and supporting a healthy blood flow and circulation around the body. The fruit was also revered in many folk traditions as being a symbol of fertility, reflecting its now known ability to stimulate the libido and act as an effective aphrodisiac. Different parts of the plant also demonstrate different medicinal actions with the bitter rind acting as an effective astringent to the digestive system, and the cooling juice as an excellent anti-inflammatory to the digestive tract but also in excessive heat and sweat production during the menopause.The sweet juice of the fruit is a wonderful cooling drink for soothing an inflamed stomach and intestines. It is a specific for hyperacidity and the resulting nausea. Its mild astringency helps to slow the movement of vata and alleviates any excess pitta. The rind is a fine astringent that will bind a loose bowel very quickly. It is a common folk remedy for dysentery with bleeding and mucus. It also kills parasites; it is a specific for tapeworms, pin and roundworms. The dry, roasted seeds are a great benefit to those with an excessive appetite, tikshna agni, as they help to balance the excess pitta.
As a wonderful cordial herb it strengthens the heart. Its affinity for the blood helps to nourish rakta dhatu. Its sweet and astringent qualities are beneficial in bleeding anywhere in the circulatory system.
Pomegranates are a well-known aphrodisiac. They benefit the semen (shukrala) via the plasma or rasa dhatu. The decoction of the rind can be used as a douche in leucorrhoea.
Pomegranates are useful for maintaining healthy levels of oestrogen as they contain small amounts of estrone. Eat the fresh fruit, juice or seeds regularly during menopause. The sweet flavour can help to cool sensations of burning and flushing.
The beneficial effect of the fruit on majja dhatu helps to nourish the brain and nervous system.
Traditional actions
Herbal actions describe therapeutic changes that occur in the body in response to taking a herb. These actions are used to express how a herb physiologically influences cells, tissues, organs or systems. Clinical observations are traditionally what have defined these actions: an increase in urine output, diuretic; improved wound healing, vulnerary; or a reduction in fever, antipyretic. These descriptors too have become a means to group herbs by their effects on the body — herbs with a nervine action have become the nervines, herbs with a bitter action are the bitters. Recognising herbs as members of these groups provides a preliminary familiarity with their mechanisms from which to then develop an understanding of their affinities and nuance and discern their clinical significance.
Traditional energetic actions
Herbal energetics are the descriptions Herbalists have given to plants, mushrooms, lichens, foods, and some minerals based on the direct experience of how they taste, feel, and work in the body. All traditional health systems use these principles to explain how the environment we live in and absorb, impacts our health. Find out more about traditional energetic actions in our article “An introduction to herbal energetics“.
Chinese energetics
Western energetics
Did you know?
This plant has no close relatives within the plant kingdom, and so it can often be seen to be placed in different plant families. However, some authorities have also given it its own unique family, Granateae.
Additional information
Safety
The bark is banned for use in the UK under the 1977 Medicines Order. Overdose can cause blindness, dizziness, fainting, gastrointesinal irritation, vomiting, respiratory failure.
Dosage
0.5–5g of the rind in diarrhoea and tapeworms. Drink the juice freely. 1–3g of the roasted seeds as an appetiser.
External Uses: Decoction of bark as gargle for throat & mouth problems. Decoction of rind as douche for infections & leucorrhoea.
Recipe
Brave heart tea
This Brave Heart tea is a therapeutic recipe for nourishing your heart, both the physical and emotional.
Ingredients:
- Hawthorn berry 4g
- Hawthorn leaf and flower 2g
- Limeflower 2g
- Cinnamon bark 2g
- Motherwort 1g
- Saffron 5 strands
- Rose flower 1g
- Pomegranate juice a glug (or 1 tbsp) per cup
This will serve 2 cups of a very heartloving tea.
Method:
- Put all of the ingredients in a pot (except for the pomegranate juice).
- Add 500ml (18fl oz) freshly boiled filtered water. Leave to steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain.
- Add a glug of pomegranate juice to each cup.
This recipe is from Cleanse, Nurture, Restore by Sebastian Pole
